Diffidence may check resolution and obstruct performance, but compensates its embarrassments by more important advantages; it conciliates the proud, and softens the severe; averts envy from excellence, and censure from miscarriage.

It is the quality of patriotism to be jealous and watchful, to observe all secret machinations, and to see publick dangers at a distance. The true lover of his country is ready to communicate his fears, and to sound the alarm, whenever he perceives the approach of mischief. But he sounds no alarm, when there is no enemy; he never terrifies his countrymen till he is terrified himself. The patriotism, therefore, may be justly doubted of him, who professes to be disturbed by incredibilities.

It is not often that any man can have so much knowledge of another, as is necessary to make instruction useful.

Reproof should not exhaust its power upon petty failings.

Politeness is one of those advantages which we never estimate rightly but by the inconvenience of its loss.

If he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.

Those writers who lie on the watch for novelty can have little hope of greatness; for great things cannot have escaped former observation.